AUK students unite for Gaza with ‘Play it Forward' awareness event
Initiative spotlights Palestine's humanitarian crisis, promotes solidarity
KUWAIT: The Finance Club at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) organized an awareness event titled 'Play it Forward' on Wednesday, in collaboration with the Office of Student Life and 12 student organizations, to shed light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Speaking to Kuwait Times, Shoroq Bukhamsin, President of the Finance Club, said the event's primary aim was to amplify awareness. 'We wanted people to remember the cause, to remember the people. It's still relevant and it will never stop being relevant,' she said.
A key feature of the event was an emotional art exhibition titled 'Gaza Habibti' by Untold Palestine, which displayed photographs of Gaza's people before and after the war. 'The gallery traces the emotional journey — beginning with life before the war, then documenting the devastation and personal stories from the current conflict,' Bukhamsin explained. 'It reminds us they are not just numbers. They are souls, families, daughters and sons.'
The exhibition also included large-scale installations by regional artists, including a moving piece known as the Martyr's Wall, which displayed photos of 1,300 Palestinians who lost their lives. 'This is not even a fraction; the current death toll exceeds 50,000,' Bukhamsin noted. She extended heartfelt thanks to AUK, faculty advisors, club executives, supporting businesses, and Kuwait Times for their support and coverage.
The Palestinian flag is displayed at the 'Play it Forward' event held on Wednesday to shed light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Visitors interact with vendors at the open market and game zone.
Accessories made using traditional Palestinian embroidery are showcased at the event.
Vendors pose for a photo at the open market as part of the 'Play it Forward' event organized by the Finance Club at the American University of Kuwait (AUK) in collaboration with the Office of Student Life and 12 student organizations.
Jumanah Al-Bloushi, Vice President of the Finance Club, said the event also featured an open market and game zone. Local businesses and food vendors participated, pledging 25 percent of their proceeds to humanitarian causes related to Palestine. Attendees were encouraged to donate through interactive games.
A performance show by ArtScene and Argan Bedaya capped the event, featuring music, poetry and storytelling in tribute to Palestinian identity and resilience. Al-Bloushi praised the collective spirit: 'It's so beautiful to see so many different organizations come together just to make this happen today.' She added, 'This event is a reminder that even after a year, the Palestinian cause is still relevant and we will not let it be forgotten.'
Mishari Al-Ibrahim, a member of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement in Kuwait, also participated in the exhibition. He emphasized the boycott as a powerful form of resistance: 'Here in Kuwait, we're pioneers and active in this field,' he said. 'These events allow us to explain the different forms of boycott — commercial, academic and sports — as tools to counter normalization and raise awareness.'
He encouraged individuals to engage by staying informed and making conscious choices. 'At the very least, refrain from buying targeted products and raise awareness among your family and peers,' he said. 'When you have the right information, you become a source of knowledge. That's how you become an active member of the global boycott movement and part of the change.'
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